Title 3. Noise Control — Subtitle 1. Definitions; General Provisions
Statutes in effect as of October 1, 2026.
Md. Code Ann., Envir. § 3-101 (2026)
Title 3. Noise Control
Subtitle 1. Definitions; General Provisions
§ 3–101LinkCopy Citation
(a)
In this title the following words have the meanings indicated.
(b)
“Environmental noise standard” means a goal for the limitation of noise, from all sources, that exists in a defined area under specified conditions.
(c)
(1)
“Noise” means the intensity, frequency, duration, and character of sound.
(2)
“Noise” includes sound and vibration of subaudible frequencies.
(d)
“Political subdivision” means a county or municipal corporation of this State.
(e)
“Sound level limit” means the maximum allowable noise emission from a noise source in a defined area under specified conditions.
(f)
“Source” means any person or property from which sound originates.
Md. Code Ann., Envir. § 3-102 (2026)
Title 3. Noise Control
Subtitle 1. Definitions; General Provisions
§ 3–102LinkCopy Citation
The General Assembly finds:
(1)
That the people of this State have a right to an environment that is free from any noise that:
(i)
May jeopardize their health, general welfare, or property; or
(ii)
Degrades the quality of their lives; and
(2)
That there is a substantial body of knowledge about the adverse effects of excessive noise on the public health, the general welfare, and property, and that this knowledge should be used to develop environmental noise standards that will protect the public health, the general welfare, and property with an adequate margin of safety.
Md. Code Ann., Envir. § 3-103 (2026)
Title 3. Noise Control
Subtitle 1. Definitions; General Provisions
§ 3–103LinkCopy Citation
Except as otherwise provided by law, the Department shall revise the State’s environmental noise standards and sound level limits as necessary or appropriate.
Md. Code Ann., Envir. § 3-104 (2026)
Title 3. Noise Control
Subtitle 1. Definitions; General Provisions
§ 3–104LinkCopy Citation
The Department may obtain any federal or other funds that are available to this State for purposes that are within the scope of this title.
Md. Code Ann., Envir. § 3-105 (2026)
Title 3. Noise Control
Subtitle 1. Definitions; General Provisions
§ 3–105LinkCopy Citation
(a)
(1)
Except as provided in this section, this title does not limit the power of a political subdivision to adopt noise control ordinances, rules, or regulations.
(2)
A political subdivision may not adopt any noise control ordinance, rule, or regulation that is less stringent than the environmental noise standards, sound level limits, and noise control rules and regulations adopted under this title.
(3)
(i)
A political subdivision may not adopt any noise control ordinance, rule, or regulation, including the environmental noise standards, sound level limits, and noise control rules and regulations adopted under this title, that prohibits trapshooting, skeetshooting, or other target shooting between the hours of 9 a.m. and 10 p.m. by a shooting sports club that is chartered and in operation as of January 1, 2001.
(ii)
This paragraph does not apply in Baltimore City or Allegany, Anne Arundel, Calvert, Charles, Garrett, Howard, Montgomery, St. Mary’s, and Washington counties.
(4)
(i)
Except as provided in subparagraph (ii) of this paragraph, Allegany County, Anne Arundel County, Garrett County, Washington County, or a political subdivision of Allegany County, Anne Arundel County, Garrett County, or Washington County may not adopt any noise control ordinance, rule, or regulation, including the environmental noise standards, sound level limits, and noise control rules and regulations adopted under this title, that prohibits trapshooting, skeetshooting, or other target shooting between the hours of 9 a.m. and 10 p.m. by a shooting sports club that is chartered and in operation as of January 1, 2005.
(ii)
(1)
Subject to the provisions of subsubparagraph 2 of this subparagraph, Allegany County, Anne Arundel County, Garrett County, Washington County, or a political subdivision of Allegany County, Anne Arundel County, Garrett County, or Washington County may adopt any noise control ordinance, rule, or regulation, including the environmental noise standards, sound level limits, and noise control rules and regulations adopted under this title, that prohibits trapshooting, skeetshooting, or other target shooting between the hours of 9 a.m. and 10 p.m. by a shooting sports club that the responsible political subdivision determines is not in compliance as of January 1, 2005 with environmental noise standards, sound level limits, or noise control rules or regulations adopted under this title.
(2)
A noise control ordinance, rule, or regulation adopted under subsubparagraph 1 of this subparagraph shall allow trapshooting, skeetshooting, and other target shooting between the hours of 9 a.m. and 10 p.m. by a shooting sports club that the responsible political subdivision determines has become compliant with environmental noise standards, sound level limits, and noise control rules and regulations adopted under this title.
(5)
Carroll County or a political subdivision of Carroll County may not enforce any noise control ordinance, rule, or regulation, including the environmental noise standards, sound level limits, and noise control rules and regulations adopted under this title, against a public school in Carroll County that violates the ordinance, rule, or regulation between the hours of 8 a.m. and 9:30 p.m.
(b)
Each political subdivision is encouraged to consider:
(1)
Compliance with State or local noise standards before acting on any proposed variance requests or changes in zoning classifications; and
(2)
Whether the permit or activity will be in compliance with local and State noise control standards, prior to the issuance of a building, activity permit, or similar authorizing document.